Century 21 Real Estate
Century 21 Real Estate LLC franchises real estate sales offices that offer residential real estate brokerage services, commercial real estate services, and limited property management services under the CENTURY 21® brand and system. Franchisees, typically owners of existing brokerages or new startups, pay initial franchise fees (e.g., $25,000 standard) and ongoing fees to access branding, marketing, training, referrals, and operational support. The target market includes real estate brokers serving residential and commercial buyers, sellers, and property owners in the U.S.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty (min. $500/mo if applicable) + 0.5% BMF + $1,000-$3,000/yr software maintenance
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Century 21 Real Estate Compares to Other Real Estate Brokerage Franchises
Key Insights
- #2 largest franchise system in Real Estate Brokerage
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Real Estate Brokerage
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Century 21 Real Estate Current | $35K - $279K | $25K | 6.0% | 1,734 |
| Century 21 Real Estate LLC | $35K - $279K | $25K | 6.0% | 1,734 |
| SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY | $46K - $325K | $25K | 6.0% | 666 |
| ERA | $33K - $260K | $25K | 6.0% | 444 |
| ERA | $33K - $260K | $25K | 6.0% | 444 |
| REALTY ONE GROUP | $47K - $228K | $25K | 0.0% | 410 |
Real Estate Brokerage Average 20 franchises | $48K - $296K | $26K | 5.4% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 20 Real Estate Brokerage franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+36 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Century 21 Real Estate franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily breach of contract disputes involving franchise agreements, royalty rates, confidentiality provisions, and post-termination claims with franchisees and former franchisees.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Century 21 Real Estate franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Century 21 Real Estate franchise ranges from $34,670 to $279,000. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How many Century 21 Real Estate franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Century 21 Real Estate has 1,734 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1972.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Century 21 Real Estate franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Century 21 Real Estate franchises. Historical data shows 29 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Century 21 Real Estate franchisees, with an average loan amount of $535,497. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is Century 21 Real Estate a good franchise to buy?
Century 21 Real Estate shows several positive indicators: established brand with 1,734+ locations, low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Century 21 Real Estate?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if Century 21 Real Estate is the right fit for you.
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